The latest news and conversation about the Rays from MLB.com's Bill Chastain.

Maddon on home run-friendly Yankee Stadium

ST. PETERSBURG — After reaching the .500 mark for the eighth time this season, the Rays will enter the new Yankee Stadium on Friday for a critical four-game series against the American League East leaders.

Based on past results, home runs may be the deciding factor.

Through the first 25 games at Yankee Stadium this season, 91 balls left the yard. Comparatively, 93 home runs were hit through the first 25 games at the old Yankee Stadium in 2008 and ’07 combined.†

The Rays played a two-game series in the Bronx from May 6-7 — winning both games — and nine balls went out.†

Six of those were provided by the Rays in an 8-6 win in Game 2. And one of those — Jason Bartlett’s first-inning shot off Andy Pettitte — showed Rays manager Joe Maddon just how easily longballs can be triggered in the Yankees’ new place.

“The ball did go out in right,” Maddon recalled. “I mean, I can’t deny that. Even J.B.’s … he hit it out to right-center. That surprised me.”

The new Stadium’s dimensions are exactly the same as the old one. But, for some reason — whether it’s slightly altered dimensions, a smaller right-field wall or freak wind patterns — the new park plays smaller.

Nobody can really figure out why, though — including Maddon.

“I really don’t know what the issue is,” he said. “I mean, it doesn’t feel like there’s a strong breeze down there, and I don’t even know if it’s the open concourse. I’ve heard different things. But, for whatever reason, [the ball is] just going more.

“It’s hard to tell, but it was different [the last time the Rays played there].”

Check out more on the launching pad that now is Yankee Stadium here:†http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090604&content_id=5135218&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

– Alden Gonzalez

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

1 Comment

How many years has baseball used the current size, weight & makeup of balls and bats? A buddy & i have a discussion about this. He says Longorias HR @ citi field on Sat. doesn’t count against Lou Brock’s because the ball & bat materials, size, etc has changed. Thanks – Tampatexan2@yahoo.com

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.